Tentative Spring Schedule  -2008   Introduction to American Politics

January

            16        Introduction

                        Course Syllabus

                        Film:  A Time For Justice

                        Paper Assignment #1- January 30, 2008

23 Discussion Chapter 1

            Assign Topics for Race, Gender, Class Discussion

30 Discuss Race, Class, Gender, etc.

            Begin Chapter 2 Discussion- Constitution

February

6 Finish Chapter 2-Constitution and Chapter 3-Federalism

            Assign Paper #2- Court Cases-Due February 20, 2008

13 Test #1- Chapters 1-3

20 Discussion of Supreme Court Cases and Chapter 4 Bill of Rights Notes

27 Discuss Chapter 12-Congress

            Video Clip: The Congress

March

5 Spring Break

12 Finish Discussion of Chapter 12-Congress

            Begin Chapter 13-Presidency

19 Finish Chapter 13-Presidency

26 Test #2- Chapters 4, 12, and 13

            Assign papers:

                        King/Lincoln Paper-Due April 9, 2008

                        Electoral College Paper-Due April 23, 2008

April

2 Research Paper Work- Library and Research Time

9 Discuss Chapter 15-The Judiciary

16 Discuss Chapter 9 and 10 Political Parties and Campaigns

            Video Clip- Democratic and/or Republican Parties

23 Finish Discussion of Chapter 9 and 10- Political Parties and Campaigns

30 Discussion of Chapter 11- Special Interest Groups and Lobbying

May

            7          Final Test #3- Chapters 15, 9, 10, 11